Stickless, collapsible kite



Nov. 6, 1956 D. J. SPARKMAN STICKLESS, COLLAPSIBLE KI TE Filed May 6, 1955 INVENTOR DOROTHY JUNE SPAR/ MAN BY Mm ATTORNEY United States Patent STICKLESS, COLLAPSIBLE KITE Dorothy J. Sparkman, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Application May 6, 1955, Serial No. 506,609

6 Claims. (Cl. 244-153) This invention relates to kites and more particularly to inflatable kites fabricated from thin flexible plastic or like material.

The kites which are in greatest use today are normally constructed from a thin sheet of paper placed upon a frame of crossed sticks. Such kites have not been changed substantially in the last one hundred years or more and are subject to a number of disadvantages. For example the sticks are quite fragile and will snap when the kite takes a nose dive into the ground. Further, the kite is rather bulky and cumbersome in its assembled condition, and even when disassembled is awkward to handle.

It is therefore an object of this invention to eliminate the major disadvantages of the well known prior art kite. This invention comprehends the use of a plastic or other thin light weight material which is inflated, and when inflated assumes the contours of a kite. The kite has two principal elements, namely, a bag, the edges of which form the shape of a kite, and an elongated inflatable tube which is inserted inside the bag, and when inflated forces the bag to assume the contours of a kite.

Means are provided to attach a string to one surface of the kite. When the kite is in flight, the string pulls on the bottom surface or skin of the bag giving the kite a slight bow on the surface which is directed against the wind, and the other skin or surface of the kite is stretched tight.

This arrangement provides a kite which is rigid enough for operation and, when in flight, has satisfactory stability and aero-dynamic characteristics. On the other hand, when the kite is not in flight, the elongated tube may be deflated and the bag collapsed and folded to such a size that it can be placed in the pocket of the user.

It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a light weight inflatable kite having improved stability and acre-dynamic characteristics.

It is another object of the invention to provide a kite which eliminates the rigid stick framework and substitutes therefor a bag having an inflatable tube, which tube provides the necessary rigidity.

These and other objects will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the kite in flight,

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the kite,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the kite,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2.

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Referring now to the drawings, the principal com ponents of the kite are a bag 10 and an inflatable tube 12 having ends 11 and 13 inserted inside the bag. The bag is constructed from a top skin 16 and a bottom skin 14 which are stitched or heat sealed or otherwise joined along their adjacent edges 18.

One end 20 of the bag remains open so that the tube 12 can be inserted and removed. Eyelets 22 and 24 are fitted in the top and bottom skins so that the opening can be closed by a string 26 threaded through the eyelets.

Eyelets 28 and 30 are also mounted to opposite ends of the bottom skin in order to form a fastening arrangement for the main kite string 32.

Still another eyelet 34 is placed in the skin 14 through which the inflation stem or valve on the tube 12 will protrude.

The tube 12 is, before it is inserted in the bag, an elongated airtight flexible member having an inflation stem or valve 36 at one end thereof.

The tube must be an airtight material although such material is not necessary for the bag. Materials which can be used are nylon, vinyl, polyethylene, fiberglass, fabrics, rubber, paper, etc.

In operation, the tube 12, in its deflated or partially inflated condition is inserted through the hole at 20 in the bag 10. The stem 36 is caused to protrude through the eyelet 34 and the tube 12 is then inflated. The bag will cause the tube 12 to be forced against the marginal portions of the bag whereby the bag will assume a semirigid condition having the contours of a kite.

The string 32 is attached to the eyelets 28 and 30 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the kite is ready for flight.

When in flight, the string pulling on the eyelets 28 and 30 causes a slight bow in the front or bottom surface of the kite giving the kite the proper aero-dynamic qualities. The top skin 16 is stretched tight so that the kite is, for the purpose of flight, substantially rigid.

After flight, the tube 12 can be deflated and, if desired, removed from the bag 10 although this is not necessary. The tube and bag can be folded to about the size of a table napkin and put in the pocket of the user awaiting use on another windy day.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed in the above description, what is deemed to be the most practical and eflicient embodiment of the invention, it should be well understood that the invention is not limited to such embodiment as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts Without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A kite comprising, a thin flexible bag having edges forming the general contours of a kite, an inflated tube disposed in said bag and pressing against said edges to maintain said bag in semi-rigid condition.

2. A kite comprising, a thin flexible bag having edges forming the general outline of a kite, a straight flexible inflated tube inserted in said bag and being bent to substantial conformity with the outlines of said kite.

3. A kite comprising, a bag, an inflated tube in said bag around the marginal portions thereof, causing said bag to assume the contours of a kite.

4. A kite comprising, a thin flexible bag having edges forming the outline of a kite, a removable inflatable tube inserted in said bag, and being bent to substantial on. formity with the outline of said kite.

5; A kite according to c1aim'4, in which said bag comprises first and second sheets of flexible material joined 7 over the major portion of their edges, and having a minor portion of their edges free to form a hole for the insertion and removal of said tube.

6. A kite according to claim 5, and means forming a hole in the surface of one of said sheets to receive an inflation stem from said'tube.

4 References Cited'in the'file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,288,451 Smyth Dec. 17, 1918 1,906,091 Pendergast Apr. 25, 1933 2,486,158 Hass Oct. 25, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 215,241 Germany Oct. 23, 1909 

